2007 Update:
Skills for Health have recently reviewed the Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS) framework as part of a review of all of its National Occupational Standards (NOS). The main purpose behind this review has been to reflect changes in NOS over the past few years. Skills for Health, like all Sector Skills Councils, tries to ensure that all of its products are as up to date and relevant to the sector it supports and therefore reviews of NOS and Qualifications are an important part of this role.
Historically the DANOS suite was made up of NOS imported from several suites including - Health and Social Care, Management and Leadership, however these suites were given DANOS code labels (e.g. AA2). The DANOS suite also included standards developed specifically for the Substance Misuse workforce.
As a result of this exercise you will still be able to access the majority of the original National Occupational Standards (NOS) that have historically made up the DANOS suite, but you will notice some changes, these include:-
- Some NOS remain unchanged in both content and code labeling (the prefix to a standard e.g. AA1)
- Some of the NOS have had their code label changed because the original is now being used e.g. from AA2 to HSC233 (Health & Social Care)
- Some of the NOS that were imported to the DANOS framework have been updated by the originating sector. The updated competences have therefore been included and given their original code label e.g. AD2 to ENTO L10
- Some of the original DANOS have been made more generic, to fit with Skills for Health's procedures, and have consequently been given a GEN or CHS code label e.g. AC2 to GEN36 and AH5 to CHS12
- Finally some of the NOS have been split into several NOS due to changes in the original standard e.g. AH8 to Pharm 07, 08, 09, 10, 11
A summary of the changes that have been made to the DANOS suite can be found in the attached document which can be accessed here.
It is important to note that there is no immediate need for organisations or individuals to undertake an extraordinary review of items such as - training courses, job profiles, appraisal/PDP documentation etc in light of these recent changes. However it would be recommended that the changes to these National Occupational Standards are reflected in any such material at a time which is most convenient for yourselves.
For a comprehensive guide to DANOS and uses of the competences click here.
The Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards (DANOS), launched in May 2002, are relevant to everyone who is working to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities by minimising harm associated with substance misuse.
The development of DANOS was led by Skills for Health in close partnership with the Sector Skills Councils for Justice, Social Care, Housing, Employment, Education and Young People.
Thousands of individuals from agencies in the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors, together with government departments, local authorities, professional associations and education and training providers, have contributed to the development of the Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards.